I was at the mercy of a schedule
but the company was good. I did have to get drink elsewhere, but drink was had. Food was good, weather was good outside, not so good inside. I froze my ass off. I did have a fantastic time, though I wish that I had been there longer. I will have to find an excuse to return.

I went to see
datagrl skate. She did well... I will let her say more about that if she chooses to. She's traveling today so I doubt she'll post soon. It was an interesting look at a subculture I was unfamiliar with, but ultimately it was cool to see so many people passionate about what they were doing. We were on a tight schedule and had another skater at our hotel with no car and deep ties with DG, so that made socializing more complicated. I didnt see as much as I'd hoped to, but then.. I knew that was a distinct probability. We did go to Powells though, and drive around a bit so while I didnt see a lot, I did see some. I would like to visit again sometime.

Meeting you was lovely, too.
Hey, I can always trump up some sort of professional conference/workshop amalgamation that fits all of our occupations, and then you can not only return, but write it off as well. That way you can make time to see our giant Paul Bunyan sculpture, tour the world's smallest park, and eat at Voodoo Dougnuts!

ditto - home again,
and the trip was great. Busy, frenzied at times, but great. Yes, I skated - I'm a competive dyke adult figure skater. (Go ahead, mull that over for a bit. I admit, it's a clash of many pre-conceptions.) The skating was a blast. They added an event this year that hasn't been done in decades - school figures - aka nerd skating, where you make and trace xs with turns etc. on the ice. It's fine motor skills done on your feet and a thin blade LOL. It was a *blast*. I had way too many people to see and things to do, but aside from the skating, the people totally made it. Landonewts' newts are great :)